PAST EVENT

California’s Climate Crusade

In a rare display of bipartisanship, Governor Jerry Brown (D-CA) and former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA) sat side by side recently, praising the state’s efforts to move the economy away from fossil fuels. Schwarzenegger said Washington, D.C. should learn from California, where several Republicans joined with Brown and Democrats to extend the state’s landmark climate law.

Some environmentalists said the law extending California’s cap-and-trade system to 2030 is a sellout to the oil industry and it shortchanges disadvantaged communities that breathe the dirtiest air. Silicon Valley companies supported the move as did many large environmental groups. How do California’s climate moves play into national politics and policy? Will climate and energy play a meaningful role in the upcoming midterm elections? Will companies finally make energy policy more of a priority?

Commonwealth Club

The leading national forum open to all for the impartial discussion of public issues important to the membership, community and nation. The Commonwealth Club of California is the nation's oldest and largest public affairs forum. Each year, we bring nearly 500 events on topics ranging across politics, culture, society and the economy to more than 25,000 members and the public, both in-person and via an extensive online and on-air listenership and viewership.